If you love the feeling of living like a local, I highly recommend a stay at one of Costanza Cecchini’s lovely boutique homes! Costanza is the most charming host you can imagine and her three apartments – the Greenhouse Loft, the Wooden Atelier and the Pastel Home – are all situated in the Porta Venezia district, which is a 10-minute walk from the Duomo Cathedral, the Modern Art Gallery and the Natural History Museum. We stayed at the Greenhouse Loft, which was designed by London designer Ilse Crawford and her architect husband Oscar Pena. The one-bedroom apartment was once a garage but is now a cosy, contemporary home.

Perfect place for an Italian breakfast! Just few steps from Porta Romana Corso, this new space offers a wide range of leavened and fresh bakery products, sandwiches and quiches. And of course: Espresso. What else.Pavè Milano, Via Felice Casati 27, 20133 Milano, Phone +3202 94392259

Steeped in tradition, Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Milan’s oldest and finest pastry shops. It is considered a benchmark for the quality of its fresh patisserie, its signature chocolates and its classic Milanese Panettone. If you can’t make it to Milan – you can order their products (love that packaging) here!Pasticcheria Marchesi, Via Monte Napoleone 9, 20121 Mailand

Located in a renovated 17th-century farmhouse and surrounded by a park, Cascina Cuccagna has now a multifunctional use a social hub, hostel, bar and restaurant: Un Posto A Milano. Locally sourced food, suggestions for vegetarians and vegans and dishes from the Italian tradition. It’s also close to Fondazione Prada, just saying 🙂Un Posto a Milano, Via Cuccagna 2, 20135 Milano, Phone +39 02 5457785

An institution! Bar Basso was the first-ever bar in Milan to introduce the “aperitif” to everyday people. And it’s primarily known for its signature cocktail: the Negroni Sbagliato, which is made with Prosecco (instead of Gin).Bar Basso, Via Plinio 39, Milano

This place is one of the most prestigious addresses in Milan, where Leonardo Da Vinci lived while he was painting The Last Supper. Now the palazzo is open to public and remnants of the beautiful vineyard were recently uncovered.Vigna Di Leonardo, Corso Magenta 65, 20123 Milano, Phone +39 02 481 6150

Built by Piero Portaluppi in the 30s the burgeois Villa Necchi Campiglio exhibits its original interiors with the story of the prestigious Lombard family Necchi-Campiglio. A must-see for architecture and interior lovers of the Italian architecture of the inter-war periods. The villa also played host to Luca Guadagnino’s movie “I Am Love”.Villa Necchi, Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milano, Phone +39 02 7634 0121

The Secret Flamingo Garden / Villa Invernizzi
I discovered this magical place by accident – in a beautiful garden behind the fences of Villa Invernizzi lives a group of pink flamingos like taken from a fairy tale. The building is private, but you can catch a glimpse from outside.Villa Invernizzi, Via Cappuccini 7, Milan

Interior lovers beware! This place is more than a gallery, it’s a home, a journey, an experience, a dialogue between past and present. Each room unveils a different emotion (joy, surprise, nostalgia) leading the visitor towards the discovery of elusive colors and precious materials.

Close to the Duomo Cathedral, this impressive contemporary luxury department store stocks the top fashion brands on seven floors. It also has a great food market and an exceptional beauty department.Excelsior, Galleria del Corso 4, 20122 Milano, Phone +39 02 7630 7301

Located in the Brera district, Milaura is a lovely concept store with an international and innovative soul, selling the Milaura label and more than 100 other brands like Mesdemoiselles, Lemaire, Soeur, Vanessa Seward, Atlantique Ascoli and Rejina Pyo.Milaura, Corso Garibaldi, 35, 20121 Milano, Phone +39 02 8909 3905